Solid falls were recorded across the Riverina with Gundagai receiving 20 millimetres, 24mm at Holbrook and more than 20mm at Burrinjuck and Blowering Dams.

Decent falls were recorded at Wagga (14mm) and Young (9mm), and Coolamon received more than 15mm.

The relief couldn't have come at a better time for winter crops as conditions were becoming dire for much of southern NSW.

For mixed cropping farmer and grazier Michael Buchgger of Clifton Hills at Coolamon, the relief has been handy.

"June and July were looking promising," Mr Buchgger said.

"We had a good start to the season in terms of getting our wheat in on time, but August has been a bit dry and until last week you could start to see the crops suffering a bit. So the rain couldn't have come at a better time."

However, the weekend's rainfall has not solved all farmers' worries with more than half of the state still gripped by drought.

Latest reports shows about 64 per cent of NSW is still in drought, with conditions in the western and southern Riverina areas described as "desperate".

Releasing the NSW drought figures for the month yesterday, Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald painted a gloomy picture for farmers and consumers, with the dry weather likely to mean a severely reduced wheat crop.

"It's critical it rains within the next 10 to 14 days," Mr Macdonald said on Monday.

"Western and southern Riverina crops are desperate for soaking rains."

After an optimistic start to the winter wheat season, farmers were expecting to have very good production ? but to do that Mr Buchgger says the region is in need of finishing rains.

"For us, we could do with another 1 to 2 inches to get us through to harvest," Mr Buchgger said.